Chapter 61 – Secret meeting in Viridian Forest

"Now, tell me! Just what is Team Rocket?"

Giovanni sat in the armchair as though it were a throne. And in many ways, so far as his subordinates were concerned, it was. He was the ultimate power at the helm of Team Rocket and commanded the absolute loyalty of its members.

Very few of the leaders of the criminal gangs and villainous teams that plagued the Pokémon could command the respect of their followers the way Giovanni did. The admins and second in commands served him in an almost slavish manner, and the rest of the commanders, grunts and scientists were too fearful and too well paid to ever have a second though upon receiving in order.

And the Team Rocket leader did not shy from reminding the other members of their inferiority. His favourite way to address his underlings, regardless of their rank, was like this. In his office, sitting regally in his armchair behind the large desk, the room dimly lit concealing his face in shadow, while they knelt before him.

Literally knelt on their hands and knees, as these four were now doing…

"An organisation of evil that stands at the forefront of the Pokémon world," Jessie barked in response, taking care to raise her head just enough so as to look the boss in the eye, without moving from her kneeling bow.

James, Meowth and Wobbuffet knelt beside her in similar positions – except Wobbuffet, whose body couldn't naturally bend that far, so he just saluted with his head and torso bent over slightly.

Giovanni lent back in his chair eyeing the four of them carefully. "Explain evil?"

No sooner had he spoken, than James pipped up, "Our mission is to acquire any and all strong and rare Pokémon."

"And for what purpose?"

Meowth's turn. "To use the stolen Pokémon to create an unstoppable Pokémon force."

"Good." Giovanni gave an approving nod, which he knew would be taken as a great compliment by these three.

Whilst this particularly Team Rocket Trio had always been extremely dedicated to Team Rocket's cause, much like everyone else in the organisation, their field work was…There was no other way to describe it. Atrocious.

Millions and Millions of Poké, time and resources wasted on a failed endeavour to capture one Pikachu, who wasn't even that powerful or valuable. Unplanned, poor executed and frankly stupid stunts, like trying to steal worthless Pokémon like a sick Ralts, in a vain attempt to impress him.

But after their time in the Unova region he had been forced to reconsider their position. Jessie and James were not without skills as trainers or thieves, but it was a question of tapping into their potential.

Not only that, but Giovanni had also recently had to revaluate who is valuable assets were, after the failure of Butch and Cassidy to capture Shadow the Darkrai in Galar. His A Team, nearly unrivalled in what they did, months of planning and work and over a billion Pokémon to build that train, and what had been achieved?

The target Pokémon lay dead on the floor of a ravine somewhere in Crown Tundra, one of Team Rocket's most powerful weapons, the legendary Pokémon Zacian, had turned on them and escaped, and his A Team almost suffered a citizen's arrest at the hands of the world's richest businessman.

And when it had all gone down…these three had escaped. Yes, perhaps it was time to re-consider their worth. With the right tools, who knew what they could achieve.

"To that end, I have the most devastating secret weapon ever," Giovanni sat bolt upright and pointing at them dramatically with his finger. "Now go. And cause the name of Team Rocket to resonate throughout the world!"

[Pokémon]

Oak Ranch – Pallet Town….

"AHHHH! Guys…Wake up, wake up, wake up!"

Ashachu and Charizard were roused from their slumber much, much earlier than they would have like to have been by the sound of Flygon's screaming. It is generally considered dangerous to wake a sleeping dragon, and the by the look Charizard gave the Mystic Pokémon as he yawned and raised his head certainly demonstrated why.

"Well, you've got a set of lungs on you," the flame Pokémon growled. "You'd better have a good reason for shouting like this, or I'm going to flame you!"

"Pika," Ashachu yawned, sitting up and rubbing his eyes with his paws.

"I-I-I…It'sssss…."

Their brains still half asleep, it took both Ashachu and Charizard a moment or so to process the state Flygon seemed to be in. The Dragon Types was certainly worked up, his wings twitching, his claws clasped together, and his voice had gone extremely high pitched.

"D-Dragonite…He-he's gone!"

"What." Charizard glanced around and sure enough, he couldn't see the yellow and cream coloured dragon anywhere. "Oh good," he mumbled. "One less annoyance. I'm going back to sleep now."

But as he laid back down, Flygon grabbed a hold of one of the horns on the back of his head and forced him to look up at him. "No, don't you see…Dragonite never goes anywhere without me. He wouldn't just get up and leave me like this. Something must have."

"ZARD!" Angered, Charizard opened his maw and let loose a flamethrower attack at Flygon, hitting him right in the face.

"Fly." He reeled backward letting Charizard go, who promptly laid his head back on his claws.

"Could he have just gone for a morning flight or something," Ashachu asked sleepily. "Or gone to find breakfast or a for a drink?"

Flygon shook his, now shoot covered, head vigorously from side to side. "No, he wouldn't do that. Dragonite and I don't venture away from the nest unless we're together. Certainly not since that dark…thing started chasing us. Dragonite wouldn't leave me like this unless…Unless something bad happened."

Flygon became teary at the last sentence, his voice wavering, and his eye moistening. Ashachu frowned sympathetically, coxing one ear. Charizard had already closed his eyes.

"Good," he grunted. "I don't care."

"We'll help you find him," Ashachu declared cheerily, jumping to his feet, and throwing his paws in the air.

Flygon's eyes lit up. "You will…Oh thank-you." And Without warning, he picked up Ashachu with his claws and nuzzled him affectionately, making Ashachu giggled.

Charizard opened one eye and drummed his claws irritably on the ground. He wasn't sure what irritated him more. Flygon's over affection with HIS boyfriend, or the fact he likely had to spend another day playing where's Dragonite!

[Pokémon]

Meanwhile in Viridian Forest…

It was still early in the morning. The sun was barely up, and the sky still had a pink hue to it. This was the time when the forest was quietest. The nocturnal Pokémon had already returned to their dens, nests, and hollows to sleep the daylight hours away, and the diurnal Pokémon were mostly not awake.

All that could be seen were a few Caterpie sitting on branches and the odd Pidgey making their way across the sky. Of course, Dragonite was aware that he was not alone. He could sense the thousands of Pokémon around him in ways that a human would not be able to.

But he knew they would all leave him alone. The inhabitants of Viridian Forest were mostly early-stage evolutions and quite weak. None would be game to challenge, or risk being challenged by a fully evolved powerful Dragonite. No, he was sure he would be left alone.

Dragonite found a spot by a small pond to sit down beside. Sitting on the bank, he could rest his feet in the water. The coolness felt great on his scales. The nausea from earlier had faded a little, and his head felt better, though both were threatening to flare up again.

"This…can't be happening!" He glanced down at his belly and ran a claw over his scales. "I can't be…It has to be something else….There's no way….He's a Pikachu for Arceus sake. A Pikachu!"

But no matter what he said to reassure himself, his instinct told him something very different…

"What in the name of Entei do I say to Flygon…And then there's that." He shivered at the memory of the dark thing. Even though he knew he was alone, he couldn't help but glance over his shoulder at the thought.

Seeing there was nothing there, he sighed, before laying back and resting on his elbows. His tail and waste slipped into the water. Flygon, a ground type who hated the water, would probably complain about his muddy scales when they next saw each other. The thought made Dragonite chuckle to himself.

A moment later however he felt a sense of shame. How could he have just flown off and left Flygon. Even if he did need to be alone. "The poor guy will probably wake up half the forest looking for me," he sighed to himself. "I should…"

He stopped mid-thought, flipping over onto his stomach, and raising his head, listening intently. His body was suddenly tense, ready to spring into action. Instinct was a curious thing – his body had reacted to slightest change, the smallest sign of a threat, before his mind had fully processed it. What was it?

"Nite."

He gasped at he heard it. Footsteps. The crunching of leaves, twigs, and brambles under a heavy pair of feet. Too loud to be one of the forest Pokémon. It was probably a human. Not wanting to be found by some wandering trainer on the way to viridian city, he dived into a patch of tall grass nearby, out of sight.

With a single claw, he pulled back some of the blades of grass in order to see what was going on. Just in time to see three figures emerge from the trees. As they approached, Dragonite noticed they were each dressed in long trench coats and large hats.

It was hard to make out their features under the hats, though even from this position – and from the scents – Dragonite guessed two were probably human and the third, who was only about half the height of the others two, a Pokémon. They entered the clearing and came to a stop, as if waiting for something… or someone.

In Dragonite's experience, humans who cloaked and concealed themselves were rarely to be trusted or had good intention and he wasn't keen to find out what they were doing there. But he wasn't sure he'd be able to fly away without drawing attention to himself, so he stayed put.

And that was when one of the two humans spoke. "Ugh…I can't believe the boss is making us do this. Isn't this like, low level grunt work." Her voice was feminine and sounded bored. That human must be a woman.

Her companion, who by contrast had a lower, male voice replied, "I think it's a step up. He's trusting us to be involved in the inner workings of Team Rocket!"

"Yeah. We do dis well, and who knows what could be next."

The third voice sounded quite nasal and seemed to belong to the little Pokémon with them. That surprised Dragonite. He would not have expected a small creature to sound like that.

"Whatever," said the woman. "I hope this guy has the sense to show up on time…"

[Pokémon]

By now, Ashachu was no stranger to riding Charizard's back. But every time his wings rose and fell around him, every time the ground fell away from him and every time he felt the rush of wind in his face, and that rush in his stomach, he never failed to feel excited.

He didn't think he'd ever get used to it or that it would be mundane. To Ashachu the feeling was more than just the thrill that causes most Charizard trainers to want to fly on their Charizard. For Ashachu, and Charizard too, the sky was a domain that was nearly entirely their own.

A world of their own, that only his boyfriend could take him too, high above and away from everyone else. Indeed, their first date together Charizard had spirited Ashachu away on his back. And, of course, Charizard was so magnificent swooping across the sky.

Ashachu gripped the scaled on Charizard's neck tightly, peering down at the trees of the Viridian Forest below, on the lookout for Dragonite. The rush of air to his face was enough to clear the residual tiredness he had felt waking up so early.

Charizard himself, however, was not excited at all by the early morning flight and resented the fact he was not curled up in his cave with his mate and egg. The fact he had to go Dragonite hunting again irritated him to no end, and he silent cursed his boyfriend for roping him into this.

"Where is that meddlesome pest," he mumbled to himself as he flew low over the tree tops. The canopy was so thick it was hard to see the forest floor below. Even a large yellow Pokémon like Dragonite, out of place in this part of the country, would be difficult to spot here.

How had they gotten into this mess…?

The previous night….

"Okay so everybody's familiar with the rules…And you know what's at stake for the losing team. Hee-hee!" Flygon giggles as he wound his body around Charizard's, his tail snaking around his middle and his middle and lower back.

"Stop that!" Charizard shoved him hard in the side with his claw, trying to push the irritating Mystic Pokémon off him. Over and over, he asked himself the same question… Just what in the distortion world had he agreed to.

Thankfully, Flygon took the hint and slunk away from Charizard, before lowering himself into a battle-ready position, his feet and claws planted firmly on the ground, his wings outstretched and his tail low to the ground. His body tensed, showing off his muscular lithe form, Charizard suspected deliberately.

If that was so it seemed to have the affect desire. Dragonite licked his lips and replied confidently, "Ohh you know it Flyboi. I'm not losing to you this time." He raised his arms and flexed his muscles.

"So, it's Charizard and I, versus Dragonite and Ashachu," Flygon continued, as if Dragonite had said nothing.

"Pika." Like Flygon Ashachu had also adopted his battle-ready stance, legs apart and tail low to the ground. Charizard had also noticed the pink tip poking out from between his legs.

"I will get you for this," he growled at his boyfriend. "Don't expect me to show you any mercy!"

"Let's fight," Flygon shouted before throwing himself forward!

[Pokémon]

Meanwhile…Aether Paradise, Alola Region….

"What happened?"

It was not the news that the president had been hoping to return to. The red eye flight back from Galar had taken nearly ten hours, plus the short boat ride from Alola's main airport on Mele Mele Island to the Aether Paradise.

In less than a few days' time the Alola League was due to start and after the opening ceremony she would be due to attend a major fundraising event. On top of that there was the lawsuits, the Dunbar Investigation and a growing coalition in the senate trying to revoke the foundation's lucrative grants and charitable status.

"The camera footage shows that he attacked Machoke. It was quite brutal actually. It's eyes and parts of its tongue were pulled out."

Lusamine groaned. "And where is he now."

"He was sedated and confined to a cage in the laboratory. He's just been laying there curled into a ball ever since." The man who had met Lusamine at the docks and was now talking to her was the Aether Foundation's new Branch Chief and Chief Science Officer, Achroma Colress.

A young bespectacled man, with short blond hair, save for the wavey streak he more upright and had, for whatever reason, dyed blue. He dressed in a high-tech white lab coat. Lusamine like this new recruit. Youthful and energetic, like Lyte had been, but older and more mature.

Always upbeat, friendly, and respectful, unlike Faba who had been obsequies towards the president and insecure and demanding towards everyone else. He was also, as the colloquial human saying went, very easy on the eye.

"Damn." Lusamine cursed, her eyes flashing dangerously, as the two of them boarded the triangular elevator that would give them access to the rest of the facility.

"I share your frustrations, Madame President. Nobody, Pokémon or human, deserves to be treated quite like that." He sniggered to himself at his own personal joke, though Lusamine did not notice.

"What in the distortion world would possess that Arceus-damned to do such a thing?"

"The situation has been assessed by two Pokémon commissures," said Colress. "One suspects that Blade absorbed some of the personality and traits of Shadow, the way Pokémon often reflect the personality of their trainer. The other suggested that it's the result of trauma suffered as a result of the abuse and control he suffered at the hands of Shadow. My personal theory is that our young Blade might be more like Shadow than we thought. A violent psychopath."

Lusamine let out a long sigh. "I guess it doesn't matter why he did it. The question is what in the distortion world do we do with him. Keeping him locked in a cage all the time would be cruel. But he clearly can't go back into the Conservation Area. Not now he's murdered two Pokémon. Many of the Pokémon here at Aether Paradise are weak and sick and have traumas of their own. They wouldn't be safe around Blade."

"I agree Madame President," said Colress. "Perhaps we should arrange for adoption by a strong trainer. A trial captain, or Elite Four member perhaps."

Lusamine shook her head. "Too many risks. The safety and, perhaps kindest thing to do would be to release him back in the wild and track his movements."

Colress was taken-aback by this suggestion. "But madame. Would he not pose the same risk to wild Pokémon?"

At that moment the elevator came to a stop on the first floor, where Lusamine was met by her secretary and second in command, Wicke.

"Madame President," she gasped. "Thank goodness you're back. We need to discuss the VIP tickets for the Alola Conference. Pokkén Tournament are requesting at twenty tickets for their delegates and key donors, and the Marco Cosmos want at least ten. I'm also having trouble with the trainer's accommodation. Hotel Grand Resort won't have enough free rooms to accommodate all of us."

Lusamine groaned and replied sharply, "Well have you tried the other hotels."

"I've contacted the Song Hotel. They said they can guarantee us enough rooms to accommodate the spill over, but they'll only do it if they can charge a premium."

"So, agree to the terms."

Wicke seemed a little taken aback. "So, you'll agree to pay the premium. That'll push our costs."

"So, increase the price of the VIP tickets." Lusamine cut her off impatiently. "Cost isn't an issue here. Worst comes to the worst it won't be a problem to get the government grants increased. Colress, let us continue our conversation in my office."

She strolled off the triangular shaped elevator platform and across lobby of the facility, which took up most of the first floor. At the far side of the hall was a large set of glass doors leading out onto a walkway. This led to the grand mansion at the back of the Very Large Floating Structure, and Lusamine's private residence.

Wicke followed the president and the branch chief, continuing to pelt Lusamine with questions and problems. "Also, Madame President, the University has been in touch with us regarding students who are interested in intern positions. Shall I set up interview."

"Wicke, I don't have time," Lusamine replied sounding harassed. "Somebody else will need to attend to that. Just give me a sample of the students work I'll review them when I actually have."

"I've already done so, ma'am. There's one in particular who was a serving Pokémon Ranger, who's done some research into Pokémon beliefs and in particular Pokémon cults, that you probably should read."

"Like I said when I get time!"

"I've been contacted by the solicitors office too. There's talk of another lawsuit. They wanted me to make an appointment for you to speak with Tom!"

"Fine! You'll have to check my calenda and choose a time when I'm available. If they need to see me urgently, you'll have to go instead!"

"They asked for you. Also, the Kanto branch have informed me on of their new Pokémon doctor could be causing a problem. We need to update the sex discrimination and sexual harassment policy. It hasn't been looked at for at least three years now, and some recent legislative changes…"

"Wicke. Enough." Lusamine had finally reached the end of her patience and held up a hand to silence her assistant.

Even though the tone of her voice had not changed, Wicke knew it was time to drop it. "My apologise Lusamine. I'll deal with most of these problems myself."

"What is our sexual harassment policy out of interest," Lusamine asked with a frown.

"It's fairly simple," said Wicke. "No unwanted contact and no offensive comments, mainly. The law though is quite strict, and I think the policy might need more detail."

"And the Pokémon policy. Is that still…"

"Employees can been in ships with their own Pokémon, but any shipping with Pokémon conservation area results in summary dismissal."

Lusamine bite her lip. "And we did have to fire two employees over that. From memory one took it to court."

Wicke nodded. "The Human-Pokémon rules are stricter than the human-human rules, so we could be open to a discrimination claim. Also, if anyone is harassed or assaulted…"

Lusamine nodded. "I see your point. Send a memo through to the solicitors and get them to draft a new policy."

"If I may Madame President," interjected Colress. "The pressing matter of Blade the Sneasel. If he were to be released, would he not pose a risk to wild Pokémon."

"Release him into a part of the island inhabited by stronger Pokémon, preferably with a type of advantage," said Lusamine.

Colress raised his eyebrows and shifted his glasses. "I see. Are you perhaps?"

"I believe it better that we continue this conversation in my office." They had finally reached the doors to Lusamine's Mansion. "Ms. Wicke. Please attend as we discussed."

"Right." She nodded and turned to walk back to the main building, leaving Lusamine and Colress to enter the mansion alone.

[Pokémon]

Back in Viridian Forest…

"Stupid trees," Charizard muttered to himself as he continued to fly low over the canopy. "We're never going to find that stupid dragon like this!" He had half a mind to set the wretched forest on fire.

"Pikachu." Ashachu let out a low cry and peered down into the trees. Charizard had a point. It was a fast-moving stream of green with no way to see below. Still, a large Dragonite would be easy to spot here, right?

'Assuming he came this way,' Ashachu thought with a heavy heart.

And then he noticed something. Something that stood out among the evergreens and was bright enough be visible through the foliage. "Pika!"

"What is it," Charizard called to him over his shoulder.

"I saw something!" Ashachu shouted back over the wind. "Back there!"

Charizard circled around, trying to retrace his steps, his eyes fixed intently on the ground. It didn't take him long to notice what Ashachu had seen. Glinting out through the leaves, was a bright orange….

"Flame…Wait, that's looks like…!"

[Pokémon]

The previous night…

"ZARD….!"

"Ashachu! HELP!" Dragonite cried out, as Charizard had him trapped. His jaws pressing down on his neck in a crunch attack, holding the other dragon in place and leaving his chest and torso open to repeated dragon claw attacks.

He was disheartened to hear his teammate call back, "Hey, I've got problems of my own here!" For Ashachu at that moment was caught in Flygon's Sand Tomb attack. A huge hole in the ground had opened beneath his paws, sucking the paw chu inside.

Poor Ashachu was left scrambling against the sides, desperately trying to keep himself from falling into the pit. Though his efforts were inevitably going to be in vain. "Ah crap," he mumbled to himself, "This is going to get worse before it gets better…."

[Pokémon]

The memory of the previous night made Ashachu shiver. Once again, he'd found himself in the heat of battle with his body and his…sexual release…on the line. And he had lost…And paid for his loss big time. But he didn't have time to dwell on that now.

Charizard had fluttered down into the canopy, coming to rest in or amongst the top branches of a tall evergreen tree. It was a precarious perch, with the branches supporting his legs, and that which was gripping with his claw threatening to buckle and break under his (and Ashachu's) weight.

However, from this vantage point, they had a clear view of the forest below. To Ashy and Chari's surprise the orange flame they had seen through the leaves actually belonged to another Charizard. Another fire lizard wandering through the trees, a few steps behind a human, presumably it's trainer.

"Char!" Charizard let out a little cry of surprise, seeing a fellow of his kind.

"Another Charizard," Ashachu breathed, pointing out the obvious.

"Hmmmm." There was something a little…different about this Charizard. Or at least Chari thought so. The other Flame Pokémon slouched as it walked, it's wings folded back, head bent over and its tail low to the ground – most Charizard's kept their tails held high.

As they watched, the human and Pokémon entered a clearing where they were approached by three other figures dressed in cloaks.

"So, you finally decided to show up."

"You're late!"

Ashachu let out a little gasp. "I know those voices. That's…"

"Rwahh." Charizard growled in agreement, nodding his head, and baring his teeth.

"I'm here, aren't I?"

That was the other person – the trainer whom the other Charizard had been following. He was a male, tall and muscular and dressed in a tight-fitting shirt and long pants. He was older looking than most other trainers, Ashachu thought, a man somewhere in his thirties. Most of the other trainer's Ashachu had met were youths like Ash.

"Listen big boy, we're not here to carry you."

"Yeah! When da boss gives you a time to show up, you show up…."

Ashachu bit his lip. Of course, he knew who these people were. There was only three people it could be. "Team Rocket," he whispered and Charizard let out another low growl.

"Zard!"

"After all, you're the one who benefits from us being here," said James. The first time Ashachu had heard him speak since arriving on the scene.

"Look can I just have what's mine," the mysterious third man said irritably. "There's a game this afternoon. I don't have time to waste here."

"Well, that's a bit rich, considering you were late," Jessie snapped in response, then sighed. "Very well. James, give him his money!"

As Ashachu and Charizard watched, James held up a small leather briefcase and passed it to the other man. The man turned it on its side and opened it.

"Hey, this is only half of what we agreed to."

Jessie laughed. "You shouldn't have been late!"

The man closed the briefcase and gaped at her incredulously. "What am I supposed to tell the rest of the guys."

James grinned at him. "Tell him you'll be more considerate next time!"

"You know I could easily go the cops."

"Which would only result in you and your team mates going to jail," trilled Jessie.

"If there's one thing we know how to do, it's evade capture," added James.

The man sighed. "Fine. But tell your boss that he's not keeping his end of the deal."

"Oh, we will," Jessie, James and Meowth said together.

And that was when the branch beneath Charizard's claws finally gave way, and snapped!